May 6, 2013 3:18 pm

Three men pleaded guilty today to their roles in the theft of more than three dozen guns from a Fife sporting goods store in 2011.

David Bunta, who wore a Santa hat during the break-in at the Sportco store, pleaded guilty to burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, trafficking in stolen property and conspiracy to commit trafficking in stolen property, deputy prosecutor Gregory Greer said.

Superior Court Judge James Orlando sentenced the 22-year-old to nine years in prison.

David J. Garcia, 27, pleaded guilty to trafficking in stolen property and conspiracy and was sentenced to a year in jail.

Sovannarith Soeung, 23, pleaded guilty to a single count of possessing a stolen firearm and was sentenced to a year and day in prison, court records show.

A fourth man charged in the case, Soeun Sun, is scheduled to go to trial this week on 45 felony counts.

Sun has pleaded not guilty and recently moved for dismissal of his case, contending his right to a speedy trial has been violated.

Prosecutors contend Sun and Bunta broke into the store during the early-morning hours of Dec. 17, smashed opened glass display cases and made off with 39 pistols and two rifles.

One of the 41 stolen weapons later was used in a robbery in Wenatchee, authorities said, and others might have been traded or sold to gang members.

Witnesses told investigators Sun was trying to sell numerous guns following the robbery, including a duffel-bag full of handguns in West Seattle a few days after the break-in, court records show.

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